Nikon's proprietary FX-format (36 x 23.9mm) CMOS imaging sensor with 12.1 effective megapixels

Discerning photographers always test the boundaries of their equipment, pushing it as far as they can to capture the most powerful images possible. For over 75 years, since the introduction of NIKKOR lenses, Nikon has dedicated itself to helping photographers go the extra mile. Now, with the D3, Nikon combines its new proprietary FX-format sensor with 12.1 effective megapixel resolution for striking tonal gradation and detail. But we didn't stop there. By enlarging the size of each pixel, Nikon's new FX format captures light with unrivaled accuracy, which in turn contributes to a significantly higher signal-to-noise ratio and wider dynamic range. The rich initial data of each image is then swiftly and carefully routed through a 12-channel parallel readout for 14-bit A/D conversion to serve two professional demands - speed and precision.
Adding to its versatility, the D3 also offers you three different formats - FX format, DX format and 5:4 - delivering all the options to respond to a vast range of shooting situations.

Color and detail only begin to explain the extraordinary potential of Nikon's FX-format sensor. Now photographers have an extremely wide sensitivity range to choose from. It's now possible to expect exceptionally natural tonal gradation in the low-sensitivity range, yet shoot with confidence in conditions that demand high ISO settings. From now on, capturing bold and remarkably noise-free images from ISO 200 to 6400 will be the standard, and not an exception to the rule. For professionals, this dramatically changes how you shoot indoor sports, night games at stadiums, theaters, weddings, wildlife at dusk and any other situation where light is limited and Speedlights are not an option.
This new dimension of ISO sensitivity not only delivers more winning shots, it also changes how you take them. Imagine shooting sports and action images at faster shutter speeds without worrying about excessive image-grading noise.
Simply put, the D3 redefines how good high ISO digital images can look. And to further expand your potential, the D3 can be extended on demand, from ISO 100 to ISO 25600. Consider the new possibilities.

The reflexes professionals demand

Whether professionals succeed or fail depends on their readiness and ability to capture the perfect moment. That's why Nikon has minimized the D3's response times to nearly unnoticeable levels.
The D3 starts up in approximately 0.12 seconds, and shutter-release time lag is an industry-leading 37 milliseconds.

Speed that frees you to act on impulse

Nikon understands that for professional digital photography, exceptional speed means little unless it is supported throughout the entire process.
That is why Nikon has taken the comprehensive approach of optimizing the speed of processing, buffer memory, memory access, memory card recording and USB interface.
With these working together harmoniously, you can forget about the weight of the data and concentrate on capturing the moment.

The D3 covers the frame like never before with the world's largest number*1 of AF detection areas. These 51 points create a dense net of focusing strength.
This means faster focus acquisition, even with quick and/or erratic subject movement.
The 15 areas that occupy the all-important center of the frame utilize cross-type sensors, for even more powerful detection.
Most important, all 15 cross-type sensors retain the same outstanding level of performance with any AF NIKKOR lens f/5.6 or faster*2 - in other words, all of your AF NIKKOR lenses can take full advantage of cross-type accuracy.

*1 Among digital SLRs, as of August 23, 2007.
*2 With some lenses used in combination with Nikon Teleconverters, three points on the top and three on the bottom may function as line sensors under certain conditions, even if maximum effective aperture is f/5.6.

Versatile AF area modes

In order to make the most of all 51 AF points, the D3 offers three AF area modes: Single-point AF, Dynamic-area AF, and Auto-area AF.
All three options are available using either 51 AF points or the classic 11. Single-point AF ensures that an important element in the composition will be sharply focused, such as the eyes in a character portrait.
Simply select a single AF point out of the 51 available and the D3 will concentrate all its focusing power on that spot.
With Dynamic-area AF, you can select from several focusing options, utilizing 9, 21 or all 51 points. Just select a single AF point as priority, and the areas surrounding your selected point serve as backup - a real advantage when shooting moving subjects.
For more compositional shooting, try either the 9- or 21-point options. For subjects with extremely fast or erratic movement, the 51-point option will be your choice.
Plus there is 3D-Tracking mode, which also uses 51 points.
3D-Tracking makes the most of the Scene Recognition System's subject-tracking information, accurately tracking the subject by selecting a new focus point to significantly improve your fix on moving subjects.
The Auto-area AF specializes in focusing on people, automatically detecting and prioritizing skin tones with all 51 points.

Autofocus Fine Tune

Professional photographers have demanded a more refined AF accuracy. Therefore, the D3 lets you apply the same amount of AF compensation regardless of which AF points or lenses you use. You can also make lens-specific individual adjustments for up to 20 registered lens models.

Nikon's 3D Color Matrix Metering II has long been praised by discerning professionals for its accuracy.
The system analyzes scene conditions such as brightness, contrast, selected AF area, color, subject-to-camera distance and even the reflective quality of a scene.
Then it compares this with an in-camera database containing information from over 70,000 actual shooting situations for incredible precision.
Combined with the Scene Recognition System, 3D Color Matrix Metering II is now even more sophisticated.

AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED, A mode, 1/50 second, f/5
©Joe McNally

Active D-Lighting

When shooting in high-contrast lighting situations, the new Active D-Lighting feature can be a tremendous help. Once the 1,005-pixel RGB sensor detects large highlight areas within the frame, the D3 first compensates for underexposure, then exposes the image while digitally simulating a partial dodge effect.
This way, both shadowy and bright areas are more pleasantly detailed and exposed. Instead of simply broadening the dynamic range to show shadow details, Active D-Lighting maintains desired contrast for more attractive images. You can apply this function prior to shooting, with four strength levels.

Nikon's Auto White Balance systems have been praised for their accuracy, but professional photographers and Nikon engineers aren't easy to satisfy. Tricky lighting can fool the most “intelligent” of cameras from time to time. For example, a camera might interpret a meadow under the noonday sun and a table under fluorescent light as similar subject matter. But now, when Nikon's Scene Recognition System works together with Auto White Balance, you can expect far more.
Milliseconds before shutter release, the D3's 1,005-pixel RGB information calculates the characteristics extraction (see below) of the scene, cross-referencing it with 5,000 actual shot data examples among the 20,000 images stored in the camera. So no matter what the light source - even notoriously difficult mercury vapor light - the D3 can automatically detect the appropriate white balance accurately.

Auto White Balance used for mercury vapor light
AF-S VR Nikkor 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED, M mode, 1/640 second, f/2.8 ©Dave Black